Bath Abbey, a centuries-old architectural marvel nestled in the heart of Somerset, played host to one of the most talked-about celebrity weddings of the year on December 27, 2025. Holly Ramsay, daughter of world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, and Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty exchanged vows in a ceremony that was as lavish as it was fraught with family drama.
The build-up to the wedding had all the ingredients of a modern-day soap opera: a grand venue, A-list guests, a public family feud, and a media frenzy. According to The Daily Mail, the ceremony was set to take place in the historic Bath Abbey, a venue capable of seating up to 1,200 guests, but closed to the public for the entirety of the day. Security was tight, with personnel stationed around the abbey to ensure privacy and prevent any would-be onlookers from snapping unauthorized photos. The couple reportedly paid several thousand pounds above the standard £2,500 fee to secure exclusive use of the abbey, a move that ruffled some feathers among local residents and tourists who found themselves barred from the iconic site.
In the hours leading up to the ceremony, the atmosphere around Bath Abbey was electric. As reported by GB News, guests began to gather at Bath House, while curious spectators lined up behind blue ropes outside, hoping for a glimpse of the bride and groom. Florists put the finishing touches on elaborate rose arrangements, and anticipation ran high for what many dubbed the 'wedding of the year.'
Yet, behind the scenes, the celebrations were overshadowed by a deeply personal rift within the Peaty family. Adam Peaty's parents, Caroline and Mark, were notably absent from the guest list, a decision that followed a bitter family feud erupting just weeks before the big day. The origins of the discord, as detailed by The Sun and The Daily Mail, can be traced back to Holly's hen party in the Cotswolds. Caroline, Adam's mother, was not invited to the festivities—an exclusion that sparked a cascade of public grievances and accusations between the two families. Allegations emerged that Holly and Adam had insisted Caroline change her outfit for the wedding, and that only Adam's sister Bethany was deemed acceptable to attend both the hen party and the ceremony itself. A friend of the family was quoted saying, "Bethany has always been very close to Adam and she is really taken with the celebrity lifestyle, she's had her head turned by all the glitz and glamour. She really fits in with the glam world – she's blonde and very pretty."
Despite the tension, Gordon Ramsay remained a pillar of support for his daughter. On the morning of the wedding, the famed chef took to Instagram to share a touching tribute: "I’m truly so lucky being able to walk this beautiful bride down the aisle and gaining an incredible son in law @adam_peaty! I love you so much @hollyramsayy and couldn’t be a prouder Dad xxx." The heartfelt message was accompanied by a photo of Gordon and Holly, radiating pride and excitement.
Adam Peaty, for his part, appeared determined to focus on the joy of the occasion. He posted a serene photo of a swimming pool at sunrise, captioned "Morning of our wedding," suggesting he sought a moment of calm before the whirlwind of the day. Dressed in a sharp black suit and holding his young son's hand, Peaty arrived at the abbey with an air of quiet confidence, as reported by GB News. The Olympic champion, who boasts three gold medals to his name, seemed intent on not letting the family drama overshadow his special day.
The guest list for the wedding read like a who's who of British celebrity circles. David and Victoria Beckham, close friends of the Ramsay family, were expected to attend, though their son Brooklyn reportedly declined the invitation due to his own family issues. The engagement party, held in December 2024 and filmed for Gordon Ramsay's upcoming Netflix documentary, had previously brought the families together in happier times. However, even then, according to The Sun, cracks were beginning to show, with Caroline Peaty expressing discontent that some family members were excluded and confronting Gordon Ramsay at the event. Guests were required to sign non-disclosure agreements and surrender their phones, a testament to the event's high-profile nature.
In the days leading up to the wedding, speculation swirled about whether Caroline Peaty would attempt to attend the ceremony despite being uninvited. Initially, she insisted, "I will be there, and I will watch from the street." Ultimately, she decided to stay away, telling The Sun, "It would be too sad and I don't want to spoil his big day." Her husband Mark reportedly persuaded her that attending would be too upsetting. The couple spent the day at their home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, described as "heartbroken" by the turn of events.
Meanwhile, security at Kin House, the Wiltshire Georgian manor chosen for the wedding reception, was stepped up significantly. GB News reported that security personnel with dogs patrolled the grounds, underscoring the couple's desire for privacy amid the media circus. The festivities at Kin House continued as planned, with no sign that the family drama had derailed the celebrations.
The decision to block-book Bath Abbey for the entire day, preventing other weddings and tourist visits, drew criticism from some locals. One resident told The Daily Mail, "It seems rather selfish to be hiring the abbey for the whole day when your wedding service only lasts for an hour and a half or so." The ceremony itself reportedly lasted just 90 minutes, but the impact of the closure was felt throughout the city as security cordoned off the area and kept onlookers at bay.
Despite the controversy, the wedding was a spectacle of glamour and celebrity, with Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty at the center of it all. Their relationship, which began on the set of Strictly Come Dancing where Holly's sister Tilly was a contestant, has weathered public scrutiny and private challenges. As the couple celebrated their union surrounded by friends, family, and a wall of security, the day was a testament to both the joys and complications that come with life in the spotlight.
For all the drama and headlines, the newlyweds managed to carve out a moment of happiness in Bath Abbey, turning the page on a new chapter—one that, for now at least, is theirs alone.
